Things to Do in Italy
Italy packs a lifetime of experiences into one country. This guide highlights the best things to do in Italy—organized by interest, region, and season—so you can jump straight to the highlights: iconic art and ruins, alpine hikes, coastal drives, vineyard lunches, and thermal spas. Browse by interest, region, or season, then use the Top 10 Experiences, practical tips, and FAQ to plan efficiently.
By Interest
History & Art
Italy is a living museum where ancient ruins and Renaissance treasures sit side by side. Every city tells a story through its monuments and architecture.
Rome: Walk the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Pantheon; admire Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling in the Vatican Museums; climb St. Peter’s Basilica dome for sweeping views.
Florence: The Uffizi Gallery’s Botticelli and da Vinci works, Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia, Ponte Vecchio’s goldsmith shops, and the Duomo’s terracotta dome by Brunelleschi.
Venice: St. Mark’s Basilica mosaics, Doge’s Palace chambers, hidden Tintoretto masterpieces in lesser-known churches.
Naples: Explore Pompeii and Herculaneum’s ancient streets, then discover treasures in the Archaeological Museum.
Other gems: Turin’s royal palaces, Milan’s Gothic Duomo and Leonardo’s “Last Supper,” Ravenna’s Byzantine mosaics, Palermo’s Norman-Arab cathedrals.
⟶ History & Culture Guide
Nature & Outdoor
From Alpine peaks to Mediterranean coasts, Italy’s landscapes are pure drama.
Dolomites: Tre Cime loop, Seceda ridge, rifugio lunches with mountain views.
Lakes: Lake Garda for windsurfing, Lake Como for villa gardens and boat rides, Lake Maggiore for Isola Bella’s baroque gardens.
National parks: Gran Paradiso’s ibex, Abruzzo’s bears and wolves, Cinque Terre’s clifftop walks, Stelvio’s twisting alpine pass.
Volcanoes: Etna jeep tours, Stromboli’s fiery night glow hikes, Vesuvius craters.
Cycling: Tuscany’s white gravel roads, Puglia’s olive-lined coast, South Tyrol’s scenic valleys.
⟶ Nature & Outdoor Guide
Food & Wine
Italian culture is inseparable from food and drink.
Markets: Florence’s San Lorenzo, Rome’s Testaccio, Palermo’s Ballarò with sizzling street food.
Hands-on: Cooking classes in Bologna, olive oil tastings in Umbria, farm lunches in Tuscany.
Wine: Chianti’s Sangiovese, Barolo’s Nebbiolo, Veneto’s Prosecco and Amarone, Etna’s volcanic reds, Alto Adige’s crisp whites.
Seasonal: Autumn truffle hunts, Modena’s balsamic vinegar attics, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese cellars.
⟶ Food & Wine Guide
Spa & Wellness
Thermal waters and wellness traditions stretch across Italy.
Tuscany: Saturnia’s steaming cascades, Bagno Vignoni’s historic pool, Chianciano’s spas.
Islands: Ischia’s thermal parks with sea views, perfect for slow days.
North: Abano Terme and Montegrotto near Padua, Bormio baths in the Alps.
Extras: Forest bathing in Dolomite woods, yoga retreats in Sardinia, slow hill-town rhythms in Umbria.
⟶ Spa & Wellness Guide
Beaches & Islands
With nearly 8,000 km of coast, Italy offers every kind of beach.
Sardinia: Golfo di Orosei’s turquoise coves, Maddalena Archipelago’s sailing paradise.
Sicily: San Vito Lo Capo’s long beach, Aeolian Islands’ volcanic sands.
Campania: Capri’s Blue Grotto, Amalfi Coast’s cliffside beaches, Cilento’s quieter stretches.
Puglia: Salento’s Caribbean-like sands, Polignano a Mare’s dramatic cliffs, Gargano’s sea arches.
Liguria: Cinque Terre’s pebbly coves, Levanto’s surf-friendly waves.
Family-Friendly
Traveling with kids is easy in Italy thanks to short distances and kid-friendly food.
Fun activities: Gelato workshops, gladiator schools in Rome, Venetian mask painting.
Theme parks: Gardaland by Lake Garda, Cinecittà World near Rome, Etnaland in Sicily.
Museums: Genoa Aquarium, MUSE Trento’s science fun, Naples’ interactive exhibits.
Outdoor: Lago di Braies’ easy loop, short Cinque Terre walks, Tuscany’s Via Francigena paths.
Festivals & Events
Festivals punctuate the year with color, music, and tradition.
Winter/Spring: Venice Carnival’s masks, Easter processions from Sicily to Umbria.
Summer: Siena’s Palio horse race, Verona Opera Festival, Umbria Jazz concerts.
Autumn: Grape harvest festivals, Alba’s truffle fair, olive oil tastings in Tuscany.
Year-round: Sailing regattas, city art nights, Christmas markets.
By Region
Northern Italy: Alps, Lakes, Venice
Expect dramatic landscapes and ornate cities.
Dolomites: Sunrise at Seceda, hikes at Tre Cime, rifugio meals of polenta and speck.
Lakes: Lake Garda’s water sports, Como’s Bellagio, Maggiore’s Borromean Islands.
Venice & Veneto: St. Mark’s Square, lagoon island-hopping, Prosecco vineyards.
Turin & Piedmont: Baroque palaces, cafés, Langhe’s Barolo wines.
Milan & Lombardy: Duomo rooftop terraces, fashion district, Leonardo’s masterpiece.
Central Italy: Tuscany, Umbria, Rome
A blend of Renaissance art, rolling hills, and the Eternal City.
Rome: Colosseum, Pantheon, Trastevere nights, hidden churches.
Florence & Tuscany: Uffizi masterpieces, Siena’s shell-shaped square, Val d’Orcia’s cypress roads.
Umbria: Assisi’s Basilica of St. Francis, Orvieto’s cliff-top cathedral, Perugia’s chocolate culture.
Coast: Argentario promontory, Maremma’s beaches and parks.
Southern Italy: Naples, Amalfi, Puglia, Basilicata, Calabria
Fiery landscapes, long summers, and authentic traditions.
Naples & Amalfi: Pizza in Naples, Amalfi Coast drives, Capri’s glamour, Pompeii’s ruins.
Puglia: White towns like Ostuni, Alberobello’s trulli, Lecce’s baroque, Salento’s sandy beaches.
Basilicata: Matera’s ancient cave dwellings and cultural rebirth.
Calabria: Tropea’s cliffs, Aspromonte’s wild national park.
Islands: Sicily and Sardinia
Rich heritage and island rhythms.
Sicily: Palermo’s lively markets, Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples, Etna’s volcanic slopes, Noto’s baroque beauty, Aeolian Islands.
Sardinia: Costa Smeralda’s glamor, Orosei’s hidden coves, Bronze Age nuraghe sites, shepherd culture inland.
By Season
Spring (March–May)
Mild weather, green hills, wildflowers. Easter brings processions and markets. Great for city breaks, countryside drives, and early hikes. Pack layers and a rain jacket.
Summer (June–August)
High energy: festivals, beaches, late-night piazzas. Cities are hot and crowded, so plan sightseeing early or late. Book coastal stays and tours in advance. Ideal for alpine hikes and long beach days.
Autumn (September–November)
The classic shoulder season. Warm seas in September, harvests in October, truffle fairs in November. Tuscany’s hills turn gold, Dolomite forests blaze orange. City crowds drop by late October. Pack layers and a jacket.
Winter (December–February)
A quieter time, except during Christmas and Carnival. Christmas markets brighten northern squares, ski resorts run in the Alps, and spas feel extra cozy. Museums are calm and affordable. Expect cold mornings and shorter daylight.
Top 10 Must-Do Experiences in Italy
Explore Rome’s ancient ruins and the Vatican. Spend a day between the Colosseum, Forum, and Vatican City. Book timed entries to avoid long waits.
Spend a day with Renaissance masters in Florence. Visit the Uffizi, Accademia, and end with sunset views from Piazzale Michelangelo.
Island-hop across Venice’s lagoon. Murano glass, Burano colors, Torcello’s mosaics, and quiet neighborhoods like Cannaregio.
Hike the Dolomites and eat at a rifugio. Try the Tre Cime loop or Seceda ridge and reward yourself with mountain food.
Taste Italy’s wines in two regions. Combine Chianti’s reds with Piedmont’s Nebbiolo or Veneto’s Prosecco hills.
Sail a Mediterranean postcard. Take a boat from Positano to Capri, around Sardinia’s archipelago, or across the Aeolian chain.
Walk Pompeii or Herculaneum with context. Guided tours reveal frescoes, bakeries, and daily life under Vesuvius.
Wander Tuscan and Umbrian hill towns. Siena, San Gimignano, Montepulciano, Assisi, and Orvieto each offer towers, basilicas, and views.
Chase Sicily’s contrasts. Palermo’s street food, Etna’s lava fields, and Greek temples in Agrigento.
Unwind at an agriturismo. Farm stays offer homemade meals, vineyard views, and cooking lessons.
Practical Tips
Getting around
Trains: high-speed routes connect major cities; regional trains cover smaller towns.
Driving: essential in rural Tuscany, Puglia, Dolomites, and on islands. Watch for ZTL zones.
Ferries: link islands and coastal towns. Schedules vary by season.
City travel: metros, buses, and walking are easiest.
Tickets & reservations
Book early for major museums and attractions.
Smaller museums may close midday—check hours.
Restaurants in busy cities need reservations.
Etiquette & culture
Dress modestly in churches.
Dining: service is usually included; tip small for excellent service.
Coffee: cappuccino in the morning, espresso all day.
Greetings: “buongiorno” or “buonasera.”
Safety & comfort
Summer heat requires sunscreen and hydration.
Beware of pickpockets in tourist areas.
Tap water is safe; city fountains often provide drinking water.
Money & connectivity
Credit cards accepted widely, but cash useful in rural areas.
ATMs easy to find.
eSIMs and local SIMs offer good coverage.
Sample itineraries
Classic: Rome (3–4 nights) → Florence/Tuscany (3–4) → Venice (2–3).
Nature: Dolomites (3) → Lake Garda/Como (2–3) → Verona/Venice (2).
Southern: Naples/Amalfi (4) → Puglia (4) → Matera (2) → Sicily (4–6).
FAQs
Is October a good time to visit Italy?
Yes. October is ideal for mild weather, harvest festivals, and fewer crowds. Southern beaches may still be warm.
What are the must-see highlights for first-timers?
Rome’s ruins and Vatican, Florence’s Renaissance art, and Venice’s canals. Add a Tuscan hill town or Lake Como for variety.
Where are the best regions for hiking?
Dolomites, Aosta Valley, Lake Garda, Abruzzo, Cinque Terre, Sardinia’s coast.
Where can I find thermal spas?
Tuscany’s Saturnia, Veneto’s Abano Terme, Lombardy’s Bormio, and Ischia island.
How many bases for a 10-day trip?
Two to four bases: e.g., Rome, Florence/Tuscany, Venice, or Naples/Amalfi, Puglia, Matera, Sicily.
Do I need to rent a car?
Not for cities; useful for rural Tuscany, Puglia, Sicily, Sardinia, Dolomites.
What should I wear in churches and restaurants?
Cover shoulders and knees in churches; smart-casual clothing for nice restaurants.
How do I avoid crowds?
Book early or late slots, visit weekdays, consider guided tours with priority entry.
Is Italy good for families?
Yes. Kids enjoy food, short travel, hands-on activities, and family-friendly stays.
Can I swim in late September or October?
Yes, especially in southern regions and islands, where seas stay warm into autumn.
Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links. This means that we get a small commission from any purchase you make, at no additional cost to you!